Perspective: Scientific gaps on forest fires in Brazilian protected areas

Abstract

Brazil is in world news every year due to the occurrence of large forest fires in its ecosystems. Although there is an evident need for environmental conservation in the country, no studies have identified gaps in forest fires in Protected Areas (PAs). Despite being important conservation tools, PAs have been implemented in the country without strategic planning and are often the target of fire events. Herein, we aimed to identify the patterns of publications, the improvements, and the scientific gaps regarding the occurrence of forest fires in Brazilian PAs in order to guide the direction of future research. We carried out a bibliometric review using all the research published on the theme indexed in the Scopus database up until 2020. We analyzed 135 publications distributed in 74 journals. We observed a growing interest in the theme, with greater scientific demand after the 2000s; as well as a wide network of collaboration between Brazilian and international institutions. The Cerrado was the most studied biome; however, the Caatinga, Pampa, and Pantanal biomes are not being considered in the development of these studies. The most frequent kinds of studies were publications on plants’ responses to fire passage. Studies related to firefighting efficiency and to fire-climate and fire-fauna relationship require more attention. Our results will enable researchers to be directed toward key themes and will assist them in the possibility of partnerships and alliances. Greater efforts and incentives should be made to implement new research that fills the existing gaps.